But the icon admits that taking on the starring role in HBOsThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lackswas intimidating.
I was really anxious about this character, says Winfrey.
Explains Wolfe: I instantly responded to Deborah.
Quantrell Colbert/HBO
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You optioned this book in 2010.
What drew you to this?OPRAH WINFREY:I lived in Baltimore as a reporter for eight years.
I traveled the same streets that Henrietta walked on, her family.
Ive been in the neighborhood where Deborah lived.
I was a real community engaged person in Baltimore.
I never once in eight years heard the name HeLa or Henrietta Lacks.
I couldnt believe it.
If I havent heard of her then Im sure there are lots of other people who havent heard.
Its in my nature to want to share stuff.
Whatever Ive found that I think you dont know about, I wanna tell you about it!
Did you always imagine playing Deborah?Absolutely not.
I had other people in mind.
And then George said, You have to do it.
I had wanted to work with George.
George and I were trying to do a play on Broadway together.
We were trying to donight, Motherand it wasnt working out.
This was my opportunity to work with George.
I pray it wont be the last time because hes a hoot and a holler to work for.
Hes great as a therapist or a director!
[Laughs]
Its such a physical performance, especially with the manic episodes.
How did you prepare for this?
Did you meet with people with mania?I dealt with some manic people.
I actually went back and looked at some tapes of people.
The thing about mania is it plays itself differently in every person.
So I talked to her family members about how it showed up in her.
They could see the acceleration start to happen in her eyes and in her movements.
So I would meditate before going into that space.
But I would do specific meditations to get myself to that peak to literally raise the blood pressure.
Particularly in the scene in the slave cabin where shes recalling her brother being beaten.
One of my girls in my school grew up with an aunt who flogged her daily.
I grew up abused by my grandmother but my grandmother wasnt mean.
My grandmother really loved me.
Its different when you grow up in a house with somebody who every day is out to get you.
I said, Im on my way to do this scene and obviously I have my own memories.
Would you be willing to share with me?
So I was crying on the phone.
As a result, we agreed to go into therapy for it.
It was a big moment for us.
Up until that time she was like, No Im not ready to talk about it.
Im not ready to deal with it.
How were the Lacks family?
Were they thrilled Oprah was playing Deborah?
This gives validation to the legacy of their grandmother and mother and aunt in a way that nothing could.
Your memories are yours to cherish.
I am here to represent the essence and in every way I can the spirit and energy of her.
I am not her.
I cant be her.
Im just here to represent the essence of it.
WithGreenleaf,AWrinkle in Time,and this, youre acting more.
Is that because the talk show is over?It is not by design or strategy.
Its not like I said, Oh gee I wanna do more acting.
